Ri claimed North Korea would now be justified in shooting down US jets

US bombers and fighter jets sent close to North Korea n borders in show of force

Speaking outside his New York hotel, Ri Yong-ho said: "Trump claimed our leadership would not be around much longer. He declared a war on our country.

"All the member states and the whole world should clearly remember it was the United States that first declared war on our country.

"Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to take counter-measures including the right to shoot down US strategic bombers even when they are not yet inside the airspace border of country."

Ri referred to Trump's recent tweet that said: "Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!"

Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!

Kim Jong Un blasts Donald Trump as 'mentally deranged' and vows to make him pay for threatening to destroy North Korea

The North Korean diplomat responded: "The question of who will be around much longer will be answered then."

In his first address to the General Assembly, Trump last week threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea if it challenged America or its allies and derided leader Kim Jong-un as a "rocket man" who was "on a suicide mission."

In his brief address to reporters before heading to the airport, Ri said that the international community had hoped that the "war of words between the DPRK and the United States not turn into real actions."